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North Cornwall terminates longtime township manager Robin Getz

By a 2-1 vote, the board terminated Robin Getz, prompting testy words from residents and an argument among the supervisors

By Lisa Chenoweth

For The Lebanon Daily News

Updated:
06/04/2014 03:56:42 PM EDT

Robin Getz works at her desk in the North Cornwall Township office in this file photo from April 2013. By a 2-1 vote, the North Cornwall supervisors terminated Get'z employment on Tuesday night. Getz had worked for the township for 27 years, the last 15 as township manager. (Lebanon Daily News File Photo)

The vote followed an executive session held at the end of Tuesday's regular meeting. Although he would not comment on the specifics, citing it as a personnel issue, Wahmann said afterward that "we have had numerous executive sessions in regards to it, and the decision was based on what we felt was in the best interests of the township."

In addition, Peiffer said after the meeting, Abram had approached Getz at an earlier date and asked her to put together a severance package.

Getz, who began working for the township 27 years ago and has been manager since 1999, was silent during the vote. After resident Ed Copenhaver thanked her for her service, she remarked upon leaving the room: "I only wish the best, and I hope definitely that they reap what they have sowed."

Getz also expressed her appreciation for those who supported her.

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The decision was met with anger and frustration from Peiffer and a number of residents in attendance and ended with an argument outside the meeting room between Peiffer and Wahmann, before police Chief Todd Hirsch was asked to clear everyone from the building.

Resident Ellie Salahub accused Abram of creating a hostile work environment and "gutting the administrative staff by 60 percent."

Earlier in the evening, the board had accepted the resignation of administrative assistant Stacey Winterstein, a township employee since 1994.

"I have no confidence in Mike Wahmann, in you, Sam Abram, in governing this township in a reasonable rational way that is for the benefit of the health, safety and welfare of this township," Salahub said.